Watermelon Man

She has had three distinct careers: As a musician, a writer and as the former Executive VP and editor at Explocity.com. 

In 2020 Thomas’s jazz ensemble is considered one of the topmost jazz bands in India (Rated #1 on Reverbnation Charts) and they have also been appointed by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations as the Indian government’s world-wide ambassador of jazz.

She is by far one of the country’s most beloved vocalists, with a wide career spanning many years.

The album Bangalore Blues is her latest venture with Berkeley-alumnus, piano player Aman Mahajan with whom she has worked for the past 10 years. According to Thomas, “It all started as a Google search. I was looking for a piano player and found Aman just two streets away. A match made in musical heaven.” The pair met in 2011 and have been working steadily ever since, composing and playing music across India and Europe. All songs on the Bangalore Blues have been composed and performed by Thomas and Mahajan, with Thomas having written all lyrics.

BEFORE BANGALORE BLUES

Their first album “I Only Have Eyes For You,” was released in 2013 and this was followed by many live gigs and touring. Their video Watermelon Man from the album is a quirky and unusual take on the song with Thomas singing the song plus all the instrument parts except the piano.

Ron McClure, bassist for the famous American band, Blood, Sweat & Tears: “Provocative! Contempo to the max! You may have a hit on your hands?! Wow! (The album) sounds so good! Really inventive stuff, with a lot of expression.”

Lucky Ali, Indian pop star: “Eyes’ is stylish and cool… That’s what it’s about. It comes across as I listen to the tracks.”

Steve Gorn, New York based crossover jazz flautist: “Radha – ‘Eyes’ is great! Loved your voice and the arrangements.”

NEXT UP

VOCALESE
Thomas is working on releasing another album called ‘Vocalese’ where she has written words to the trumpet solos of some beloved Chet Baker tunes. This is just a sample. https://soundcloud.com/unkensemble/sets/vocalese/s-H3r4H

FROM WHEN TO NOW

Radha Thomas began headlining as a singer while still in her teens in a rock and roll band called Human Bondage, which was India’s most popular band in the 70s. She soon developed a strong taste for jazz, which is her favourite kind of music. She also began combining the tonal complexities of jazz with the rhythmic nuances of Indian classical music.

Thomas (who was Radha Shottam then) represented India at European jazz festivals and made her way to New York, the home of jazz, where she lived and performed for almost 20 years with such musicians as Michael Brecker, John Scofield, John Faddis, Alex Blake, Buddy Williams, Harvey Mason, Anthony Jackson, John Abercrombie, Ryo Kawasaki, Joe Farrell and many others in some of NYC’s most famous jazz clubs including Sweet Basil, The Bottom Line, Alice Tully Hall and more.

The album “Mirror of my Mind” showcased her talents in the USA for the first time in 1979. You can listen to the album here.

Her Indian classical vocal training came first from Kumar Gandharva in New Delhi at the Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya, and subsequently with Ustad Farid Ud Din Dagar of the famed Dagar Brothers in the dying art of Drupad singing.

She has performed at many jazz festivals around the world and in India including in 2015, 2016 at EuropaFest in Romania, the South Asia Performing Arts Festival in New York, and prior to that, Jazz Yatra, Bengaluru Habba, Indigo Fest, Isai Fest and other popular and prominent festivals in India and abroad. In addition to performing at jazz clubs all over India.

She also hosted a weekly jazz show on Radio Indigo in Bangalore.

Charlie H Russell

Go to my site  http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CharlieHRussell 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJqobewR8HhTnYufdviTTA/videos

Independent Composer / Producer / Musician Charlie H Russell, a songwriter with a catalog of 300 plus songs, that cover Jingle Work, Cues, Swing, Big Band, Latin, Smooth Jazz, R&B, Blues, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Caribbean, Rock, Country and Classical,

I play Bass, Guitar and Keyboards and I compose and record about two songs a week, that I could customize for any opportunity or client.

"His infectious melodies and  inventive  arrangements makes his radio friendly  and  artistically intriguing smooth jazz feel so good and this will go alone ways towards establishing his sound." 

"There are moments of cool soulful grooves, with hip rides in jazz improvisation, and the ripping funk bass, Sax and Horn lines are both the hot and cool."

"His keyboard work will shock you, and his electrically charged guitar solos, Wow!"

Charlie H Russell, unsigned self-taught composer / musician  / arranger and producer, his recordings are intentionally melodic, giving you  this highly  enjoyable first look.

Lead singer for "Magnathea"
https://soundcloud.com/magnathea
 bobha blue
https://soundcloud.com/bohba blue

  Independent female musician/singer/songwriter.
 Multidisciplinary artist: album covers original paintings.

   M​usic & creativity runs in my family. My dad, singer & entertainer Jerry Wallace hit it big in the '50's & ''60's with songs like "Primrose Lane", How The Time Flies, In the Misty Moonlight & more... His career spanned decades, recording well over 20 albums. 

    My Stepfather, jazz pianist, composer & arranger Dennis Michaels, has also been a huge influence on my musical direction. He has worked with Fred Travalena, Florence Henderson, to name a few & most recently has toured, recorded & arranged with the legendary singer, Keely Smith.

     I have played with the duo known as "The Fabulous Bluejayz". Also with Wallace & Phines (duo). Others I have played with, Stephen Phines, Mike McClaren, Dave Hinz, Tami Pallingston & Nalini Cogswell & Pete Dyszczakowski. I have recorded 6 CD's, most notably "Treehugger" which includes the hit song, "Julia Butterfly Hill, Are You Up There Still?" The song is featured as theme & background music in the full-length documentary, "BUTTERFLY", that has aired on POV/PBS & has been screened in numerous theatres worldwide.
   
I'm a Songwriter, guitarist. singer, harmonicas. There is something spiritual about the creative process. I feel that the songs are gifts from the creator and once finished it's as if they were always there.

I switch between styles, folk, jazzy lounge & blues.  My instruments: Yamaha FG345, Fender Strat & Harmonicas.

I record all of my material on an old Roland 880EX, which is powered by the sun since I live completely off-the-grid.  Hope enjoy my music! :)

I'm a songwriter and a producer living in San Francisco CA USA, and oh my goodness, do I love pop music, of all kinds. And a lot of other music, of all kinds. Thanks for giving these songs a listen, and I look forward to hearing from you.